The women of Quetta’s Hazara Town are fighting back against their community’s persecution and genocide by taking things into their own hands. Founded by social and political activist, Hamida Ali Hazara, the Hazara Restaurant aims to rpovide a steady income and livelihood for the women and girls whose family members have been killed in violent sectarian attacks.
Hamida, who is also the founder of the Hurmatty-Niswa Foundation which also helps women and the Hazara community in general has faced a lot of criticism from the local community for stepping out of the perceived gender boundaries.
The restaurant may be run by women but it is certainly not limited to them-providing delicious food and services to men and families as well.
Their vast menu offers customers a selection of traditional Hazara dishes to fast food coupled with a very homey and comfortable environment, especially for women. According to Hamida, in a video interview with Naya Daur, it was extremely difficult for her to take up such an initiative and make it a reality while being a woman in Balochistan. However, this story is truly inspirational and exemplary for other women in the area and even more so coming from the most persecuted section of the Baloch community.
